Pretty Little Liars: The Second Half 8-Book Collection: Twisted, Ruthless, Stunning, Burned, Crushed, Deadly, Toxic, Vicious

Pretty Little Liars #9-16

by Sara Shepard

#1 New York Times bestselling seriesThis digital collection contains the final eight novels in the bestselling series that inspired the hit ABC Family TV show, plus a sneak peek at The Perfectionists, the first book in a brand-new Sara Shepard series!In Rosewood, majestic estates sprawl for acres, and Tiffany toggle bracelets dangle from every girl's wrist. But not all that glitters is gold, and the town harbors secrets darker than anyone could imagine—like the truth about what really happened the night Alison DiLaurentis went missing. . . Little Liars #9: TwistedPretty Little Liars #10: RuthlessPretty Little Liars #11: StunningPretty Little Liars #12: BurnedPretty Little Liars #13: CrushedPretty Little Liars #14: DeadlyPretty Little Liars #15: ToxicPretty Little Liars #16: Vicious

Genres: Young Adult, Teen

2816 pages, Kindle Edition

First published December 2, 2014

About the author

Sara Shepard graduated from NYU and has an MFA from Brooklyn College. She has lived in New York City, Brooklyn, Tucson, Arizona, Philadelphia, and now lives in Pittsburgh, PA. Sara's Pretty Little Liars novels were inspired by her upbringing in Philadelphia's Main Line.

Reviews

[Hannah Gallagher]

i have some critiques that i won’t share because i ate these up. i am not ashamed



call off your techno boy toy or i tell the cops what your mom keeps in the lasagna box. -A

[Abby Omdahl]

The most addictive series.

This series is crazy addictive. It is the perfect beach/travel book. I read them mostly on planes.

The plot takes so many twists and turns but it was still easy to follow. There are so many pop culture references they date the series a bit. It seemed like a mom trying to show her kids that she's a cool mom by knowing cool designers names. Once you get past this it's a very easy read.

[Morgan]

I found that the last 2 books, Toxic and Vicious, were the most interesting. As well as Ali's Pretty Little Lies. I wish Shepard would write more about Alison and Courtney's relationship. But I loved the series!!!!!!!!!!!

[m&gs]

sara shephard must’ve been on crack when she wrote this series bc who comes up with this

[Lisbeth]

Puedo decir sin lugar a dudas que la serie de televisión, que es tremendamente diferente, fue mucho mejor. Pero tal vez sea porque nunca he sido una lectora de misterio.

[Stefano Pellegrino]

The second part of the Pretty Little Liars series pales in comparison to the first eight books. While the story still has its moments, the formula begins to show its limitations, and the repetition becomes increasingly difficult to ignore: one issue is how each book introduces new characters who are immediately perceived as threats by the girls; eventually, however, most of these characters turn out to be red herrings. Once or twice, this kind of misdirection can be effective, but, when repeated throughout book after book, though, it starts to feel predictable and, at times, like a convenient way to prolong the story. Things become somewhat clearer around book thirteen, although the following installments still have their share of questionable choices before the saga finally reaches its conclusion. I wanted more direct action and fewer misleading twists designed to fill pages and justify more books. Alison remains a constant threat from a distance, but she only confronts the girls directly a handful of times: even then, those encounters often leave more confusion than satisfaction. Whenever the story finally seems ready to deliver a genuine confrontation, something inevitably happens to rescue the girls (or send them to the hospital or police custody), and, after a while, this pattern becomes frustratingly familiar. The danger never quite reaches the level I expected from such a long-running conflict. In this regard, the final book was particularly disappointing: after spending so many installments building up suspense, introducing distractions, and turning supporting characters into temporary suspects, the ultimate resolution was handled in just a little more than three chapters. It feels rushed, especially considering how much time the series spent circling its central mysteries. By the end, I was left with more questions than answers; perhaps this is partly because I have such strong feelings for the first eight books and the first five seasons of the TV series, but I expected more from the ending.

There's still something entertaining about returning to the world of Pretty Little Liars, and I'm still fond of the characters and atmosphere; however, as a devoted fan of the earlier books, I couldn’t help but feel that this second collection sacrificed too much narrative momentum to prolong the saga. More answers, more action, and fewer red herrings would have made all the difference.

[Soha Amer]

Pretty Little Liars (Books 9–16) – Second Half Series Review

The second half of the Pretty Little Liars series dives deeper into the mystery, tension, and psychological games that define the lives of Aria, Spencer, Hanna, and Emily. As the stakes rise, the girls face more dangerous threats, shocking betrayals, and increasingly complex schemes orchestrated by “A,” whose identity and motives become more tangled with each book.

This part of the series keeps the suspense high, with twists and cliffhangers that make it almost impossible to put the books down. Shepard masterfully escalates the tension, blending mystery, teen drama, and thriller elements in ways that keep readers guessing and emotionally invested. Relationships are tested, friendships are strained, and secrets pile up, making the narrative as much about psychological tension as it is about the central mysteries.

Character development also deepens in these later books. The girls grow more independent, resourceful, and determined, even as they confront fear, loss, and betrayal. New characters and alliances are introduced, adding layers to the story while keeping the core focus on the dynamics of trust, loyalty, and deception.

While the drama occasionally veers into melodrama, the pacing, suspense, and clever plotting more than make up for it. This second half brings the story full circle, resolving major mysteries while leaving enough tension and intrigue to satisfy readers who have been with the series from the start.

Overall Verdict:
Books 9–16 of Pretty Little Liars deliver high-stakes suspense, shocking twists, and emotionally charged storytelling. They’re perfect for fans of YA mystery, psychological thrillers, and series that keep you guessing until the very end.

[Evvie]

I read Stunning, Burned, and Crushed in two days, taking breaks to do schoolwork as I go back to school next week. They are so addictive!! I can't wait to finish the series but I also don't want it to end. I am a HUGE fan of the show and reading the books for the first time means I get to live a part of the PLL universe for the first time. Love it.